May 3, 2016

A Shot of YA: Smoke and Mirrors by Jess Haines

A girl who uses her illusions to fool the world into thinking she's just like all the other magi.

A dragon who sees through her lies.

Together they just might survive a world that wants to control or destroy them both.﻿

Kimberly may wield ultimate cosmic power, but even a mage has to pay the rent. No one will hire her for her magic talents until she's got the credentials, so she’s stuck in a crappy rent controlled apartment with her mother, yearning for treats she can't afford at her part time job in a café, counting down the days until she graduates the secret Blackhollow Academy school for magi. Only then will she have the certificate she needs to land her dream job in a coven.

The problem? She needs a familiar to graduate.

As an illusionist, she doesn't have the ability to summon or create a familiar of her own. Her only option is to convince a supernatural creature to let her bind it instead. Since having a powerful Other at her beck and call would guarantee her a place in a coven after she graduates—and legendary treasure hoards are an added bonus—she thinks binding a dragon as her familiar will solve all her problems...

Because sometimes a girl needs a dragon, not a knight.

My very first Jess Haines and a YA/NA at that. Not my usual genre, but it's JESS HAINES! How can I resist?!

And I'm so glad that I'm a weakling because SMOKE AND MIRRORS is a light, urban fantasy filled with dragons, wyverns, centaurs, magi, sorcerers, and bigots to say the least (yes, I find bigots a form of a dark creature). Set in New York City, we follow Kimberly's last few weeks until she graduates from Blackhollow Academy. Thing is, Kimberly's final task is beyond passing finals and casting spells, how about bonding a proud, stubborn, domineering dragon?

I haven't had the pleasure of reading JHaines' H&W Investigations, but she did tell me that SMOKE AND MIRRORS is set in the same world. I didn't see or meet Shiarra and/or Alec (yet), but I'm sure their fans will be pleased with this little tidbit.

Smoke and Mirrors is set in the same world [as H&W Investigations] and general time frame, but it's completely different in tone and style. I'm also dipping a toe in the YA waters, which is new for me. Honestly, I'd classify it as new adult, but that carries all kinds of connotations that I don't think fit this story.

Though Kimberly is 21, SMOKE AND MIRRORS feels very young adult in tone as JHaines mentioned. Perhaps it's due to the storyline itself and how much it focused on Kimberly's studies and family life it that didn't leave much room for violence or even romance? Bottom line is, I had fun with the story and enjoyed meeting the crazy cast of characters. And compared to other it a fantasy series, this one is very light in every aspect. Even the "romance" is muted, surprising considering what Cormac is.

As a heroine, Kimberly is likable and what you'd consider a formidable underdog. She's yet to grow into her powers so she hasn't reached "badass" status yet. You can see it lurking in the surface, Kimberly is a quick study, loyal, and very protective of her mother, friends, and those who are at a disadvantage. I love the voice JHaines lent her and the way her character is set up leaves a lot of room for growth.

Thank you, JHaines for inviting me to party with Kimberly and Cormac, I had a blast and I look forward to hanging out with them on their next adventure. I have a feeling that it won't be as easy as surviving Blackhollow Academy.

For those asking, I do indeed write adult urban fantasy as well. Braine, I'm glad to hear you're inclined to read the H&W books! Jet me an email if/when you're ready to give them a read and I'll put you in touch with my publicist at Kensington.